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December 2, 2020

The 8th Annual #BABJHoliday virtual party kicked off December 18, 2020. About 25 people attended the “party with a purpose” hosted online using the Zoom video conferencing app. Considering the chaotic, stressful and intense year that is 2020, this was a much-needed opportunity for BABJ members and supporters to gather for an evening of games and fellowship. Special guests included National Association of Black Journalists board officers: President Dorothy Tucker, Vice President of Print Kathy Chaney and Region One Director Tory Parrish.

Typically this party takes place at a Black-owned restaurant in the Baltimore metropolitan area. In true 2020 fashion, this #BABJHoliday was B.Y.O.B. and “bring your own food” because thanks to COVID-19 the venue became wherever guests were able to log in.

 

*Best Holiday Spirit*

Guests showed off their ability to serve up holiday inspired cocktails. The top #BABJHoliday “Best Holiday Spirit” submissions came from Talisha Dunn-Square, David Steele and Nadine Finigan-Carr. Congrats Nadine for winning with your “Swiss MISStake” warm cocktail. 

Yuletide Mule

  • Vodka
  • Ginger beer
  • Cranberry juice
  • Lime juice

Cinnamon ‘n Spice EggNog 

  • Eggnog 
  • Puerto Rican white rum
  • Cinnamon 
  • Nutmeg

Swiss MISStake

  • Hot chocolate
  • Peppermint schnapps 
  • Whipped cream
  • Graded chocolate 
  • Oreo candy cane 

 

 

*Hilarious Holiday Hats* 

The category is… hilarious hats and various headgear. What’s a holiday party without funky sweaters and hilarious hats? Congrats Talisha Dunn-Square for her winning fascinator serving “Peacock Preakness Yuletide” realness. 

 

*Black Jeopardy*

The #BABJHoliday tradition continues. This is the game that proves how much do you really know about all things Black, Baltimore and beyond. BABJ Membership Chair David Steele beat out the competition for the top spot.

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BABJ Black Jeopardy Scores 

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Jeopardy Double Jeopard Final
David S. 1400 2400 3800
Tramon L. 1400 1800 3200
Maria R. 1000 1800 2800
Brian W. 500 2600 3100
Nadine F.C. 600 2000 2600
Vance B. 1200 1200 2400
Maria M. 200 1800 2000
Kalin T. 0 1600 1600
Additional scores omitted in the spirit of Christmas and mercy. lol 🤣

 

Everyone got in on the Black Jeopardy fun including NABJ President Tucker who picked the perfect question. We swear this game was not fixed.

 

BABJ Student Liaison Chair Tramon Lucas got a surprise during the Black Jeopardy game when he picked from the “How it started. How it’s going” category.

Party with a Purpose

This year’s charitable outreach focused on Catherine’s Family and Youth Services (CFYS) Adopt-A-Family program. Thanks to the generosity of our members, BABJ raised $1,130 to adopt four families in Northwest Baltimore’s 21215 community.

#BABJHoliday Purpose Initiative Chair Maria Morales explains why:

Catherine’s Family and Youth Services Executive Director and Co-Founder Valarie V. Matthews shares her mission during the 2020 #BABJHoliday:

 

ABOUT OUR FAMILIES

BABJ adopted four families for #BABJHoliday:

Family #1: Mother and her four children, 12-year-old son and three girls ages 8, 7 and 4. (Father is deceased.)

Family #2:  Mother and her two sons ages 8 and 15.

Family #3: Mother (recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer), two daughters ages 14 and 12 and a son age 9. 

Family #4: Mother and four children, two boys and two girls ages 16, 14, 11 and 6, who recently lost everything in a house fire.

 

Maria shopped for the first two families, and with the remaining funds that we donated to CFYS, Valarie shopped for the two additional families. In total, these are the items we donated to the families: 

 

Purchased by BABJ on 12/15/2020:

  • 6 new winter coats
  • 6 new winter hats 
  • 6 pairs of new winter gloves 
  • 6 new winter scarves
  • 6 pairs of new boots 
  • 2 $100 Giant gift cards for the moms of Family 1 & 2

 

Purchased by CFYS 12/20/2020:

  • 7 new coats
  • 4 pairs of new boots 
  • 2 new robe and slipper sets for the moms of Family 3 & 4

Gifted by BABJ members:

  • 1 new Xbox One video game (Dankwa Brooks)
  • 4 Christmas stockings filled with Christmas candy, coloring books, crayons and kids cards (Maria Morales)

BABJ extends an abundance of gratitude to the donors that made the #BABJHoliday Purpose Initiative a great success. THANK YOU!

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